If this were 1988, that might be a good call for a team, but we’ve all moved on from that year, something evidenced by the fact we no longer consider “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” good music. In 2010 both Howard and Bobby McFerrin should be used only in moderation.

But right now, the Miami Heat don’t have a choice.

The Heat are not a deep team, a truth born of the salary cap and the way the team was assembled. After a few core players Pat Riley could only offer minimum salaries, and while he may have gotten the best of that group we’re still talking about guys willing to play for the minimum.

So the news that Udonis Haslem will be out until the All-Star break or longer really cuts into the Heat depth and rotation. Haslem was the best rebounder the Heat have and was a steadying, physical presence inside on their defense. Both of those things will be missed.

So now what?

In the short term, it means more Juwan Howard, the 16-year veteran who has so far played just mop-up duty at the end of a couple games. He is the guy on the depth chart behind Haslem.

“There’s a possibility we might need more rebounding,” Riley said. “We need more rebounding, and we need obviously somebody that is going to have a big body in the paint that can make a difference and have an impact. We will consider something like that.”

There are not a lot of free agent bigs out there right now. Erick Dampier remains the biggest name, he flirted with a number of teams including the Heat but has had a couple deals fall through. There have been rumblings of health concerns, but for whatever reason a guy who started in Dallas last season but can’t get a job may be the Heat’s best option.

Shavlik Randolph also was in the Heat’s training camp and they could bring him in.

However, the Heat have a full 15 guys on the roster, to bring anyone in means to buy out someone already in the locker room. Which is not something owners like to do.

Basically, there are no good options, just some that may be less bad than others. But after Haslem went down against Memphis the Grizzlies dominated the glass on their way to upsetting the Heat. If that remains the case, choosing the less bad may be Miami’s only option.

the Wizards have shown little appetite for dealing Otto Porter anywhere for a return heavy on future assets and cap flexibility, sources say

John Wall‘s massive contract looked barely movable even before he underwent season-ending surgery. Washington seems unwilling to take a step back by trading star Bradley Beal.

So, that leaves unloading Porter – who’s earning $26,011,913 this year and due $55,739,815 over the next two seasons – as the obvious way to create cap flexibility and accumulate future assets. If the Wizards are unwilling to do that, it speaks volumes to their plan.

They don’t want to rebuild. They want to win now. Porter can help them do that.

In many ways, it’s noble Washington is so committed to winning, even at great expense. That’s generally what we want from teams. We don’t want them to give up or cut costs just because they’re a couple games out of playoff position midway through the season.

But the Wizards’ spending has been… uneven. Leonsis greenlit a payroll well into the luxury tax and is apparently willing to keep Porter, which likely keeps that payroll high. Yet, Washington is also holding as many roster spots vacant as allowed, offering small savings rather than adding depth amid multiple injuries.

Maybe the Wizards just don’t believe they could sign minimum-salary players who’d actually help. But insurance never hurts on the court.

So, Washington is left looking content holding its few major contracts, nickeling-and-diming down the roster, winning a barely moderate amount and not gaining better position for the future. I’m unconvinced that’s a worthy vision, but if that’s what the Wizards want, keeping Porter helps stay that course.

Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart has been fined $35,000 for aggressively pursuing an opponent in an attempt to escalate a physical altercation and failing to leave the court in a timely manner following his ejection, it was announced today by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident, which took place after Smart was assessed his second technical foul and was ejected, occurred with 7:35 remaining in the third quarter of the Celtics’ 113-105 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 19

Smart was seemingly near the line between this fine and a suspension. He’s fortunate to land on the side he did.